A column highlighting folk songs of the era and the guitars of the artists who played the songs!
All of the artists use a wide variety of guitars, depending on the era, the size of the stage, and the concept of the event.
The guitar used by each artist varies depending on the age, stage scale, concept, etc. "This was the guitar back then! This is my main guitar now! I am sure there are many opinions, but for this article, I would like to introduce some of the most popular guitars used in the past.
We have selected such guitars to introduce to you.
Immortal folk songs and the charm of acoustic guitars that still shine today! Here are some of them!
Folk songs from around the world.
The Folk Crusaders
The Yopparai Returns 1967.12
The Folk Crusaders, led by Kazuhiko Kato, a.k.a. Tonoban, were a leader of the Japanese music scene from the late 1960s through the 1970s.
Even those who have never listened to Japanese folk songs carefully or are not familiar with Mr. Kazuhiko Kato will definitely know this song, "Kitaitekita Yopparai" (The Return of Yopparai).
It is the debut and representative song of The Folk Crusaders. Did you know that the first edition of the record was called "Kitaitekita Yopparai"?
The guitar of Kazuhiko Kato, the central figure from the members, is selected!
Some are his own models, but these four guitars are close-up!
MARTIN D-45 (Kazuhiko Kato)
MARTIN's top-of-the-line model! This model is the pinnacle of acoustic guitars.
The D-45 continues to be the pinnacle of acoustic guitars because of the company's commitment to producing only the finest materials when they are available!
MARTIN D12-20 (Kazuhiko Kato)
The silhouette of the slotted head and 12th fret joint has captivated many musicians.
The full sound of the mahogany body makes it a coveted choice for folk fans!
MARTIN D-28 (Kazuhiko Kato)
This is the best-selling MARTIN dreadnought! Powerful and loud enough!
This is a versatile guitar that is good for playing chords and arpeggios!
MARTIN OOO-28 (Kazuhiko Kato)
The taut midrange of rosewood is best matched with the clear and responsive high range spun by the body size of the Triple-O!
If you can make the phrases sound audible with fingering, it is perfect!
The Greatest Folk Song Players of the Early Days of Folk Song
Tomoya Takaishi
Examinee Blues 1968.3
As the standard-bearer of Kansai folk music, Tomoya Takaishi was active as if he were leading the musicians of his generation.
His most famous song is "Examination Student Blues"!
Many young people must have been so absorbed in their musical activities that they turned to prep-school blues!
In recent years, he has also been active as a marathon runner, winning marathon races!
Perhaps his health gives him the energy to refine his music as well.
The lyrics are universal, and you can relate to them now, but don't throw stones at the avec in the park.
Tomoya Takaishi has also used numerous guitars, but here is one of the most impressive ones!
MARTIN D-28
Since its release in 1931, the D-28 has undergone a series of minor changes in detail, but the basic structure has remained unchanged.
It is a proof that the D-28 is a standard guitar that has been trusted and loved for a long time as a guitar with a high degree of perfection!
The "Folk Gods."
Nobuyasu Okabayashi
Yamaya Blues 1968.9
His debut song "Yamatani Blues" is still a very impressive song.
In fact, the song "Honjama Ojamashimasu" was the debut song and "Yamadani Blues" was supposed to be the B-side, but as you know, Nobuyasu Okabayashi is a radical lyricist, and "Honjama Ojamashimasu" was not released! But as you know, Nobuyasu Okabayashi has extreme lyrics, and "Honjama Ojamasimasu" was not released!
Oddly enough, those were the days when people were turning messages into songs. Nobuyasu Okabayashi was not a guitar master writing songs either.
He composed "Yamaya Blues" using only chords that he could play now! Amazing!
I guess his impression when he was young was still MARTIN.
In recent years, he has been using TERRY'S TERRY, which is well-known for its custom-made products.
MARTIN D-35
The D-35 is a popular model that is twin-peaked with the D-28! However, the D-35 is still very popular in the folk scene!
The tone is loud, sparkling, and well-balanced, which is essential for playing!
TERRY'S TERRY Custom Model NO.9
TERRY'S TERRY" is a guitar company established by Terumi Nakamoto aka Terry Nakamoto. We produce custom-made high-end guitars!
Nobuyasu Okabayashi used serial NO.9!
The leading Kichijoji folk musician.
Wataru Takada
Wataru Takada / Five Red Balloons 1969.4
Mr. Wataru Takada sang colorful message songs with Japanese lyrics majestically elicited in American traditional folk, bluegrass, and country music. His motto is "Sing where you want to sing," a motto that conveys his very personable nature.
We have selected the album "Wataru Takada / Five Red Balloons," which is a coupling album with his debut album "Five Red Balloons!
There is an anecdote that everywhere in Japan, there are musicians who say they were influenced by Wataru Takada.
This proves that his music is filled with that much passion.
Although there are some models such as LAKEWOOD, the best image is probably the Wataru Takada model made by Terry Nakamoto.
We have selected three impressive pieces!
YAMAHA Wataru Takada model
Based on the YAMAHA FG-2000, but fretless from the 14th fret onward!
I don't play that part, so I don't need the frets! Mr. Wataru Takada requested this specification!
MARTIN D-28
The D-28 always comes to mind when we think of guitars with this combination of spruce top and rosewood sides and back!
The D-28 has more high frequency..." This guitar is also said to be the standard for acoustic guitars!
MARTIN D-45
If the carefully selected materials for the D-45 are not available, the guitar will not be produced! The D-45 is a guitar that is made with such a special attention to detail.
In addition to the above materials, the craftsmen who manufacture these guitars are also carefully selected! Even if the materials are available, if the craftsmen are not, the guitar will not be produced!
A group that emerged at the dawn of folk music.
Five Red Balloons
To a Distant World 1969.5
Isato Nakagawa, who knew Takashi Nishioka, the central figure of the group, at the time, commented that he was "a strange man, wearing a beret and black-rimmed glasses, wearing boots, carrying a banjo, and playing a fretting technique that was rare at the time.
The lyrics of "Into a Distant World" are a bit of a fairy tale, evoking the background of the times and conveying a message about life in a non-linear fashion.
Takashi Nishioka is also famous for his talkative MC at his live performances, and it is typical of him that he talked not only between songs but also during the songs!
Takashi Nishioka has used many instruments, not only guitars, and these two standard instruments are still used!
MARTIN D-35 (Takashi Nishioka)
Comparing D-35 and D-28, is there such a big difference in sound between the same material and 3-piece or 2-piece back?
In fact, the biggest difference is in the bracing of the top material!
The D-35 is made of 6.35mm thick material and the D-28 is made of 7.94mm thick material, so the difference in vibrational coefficient makes the difference!
GIBSON J-45 (Takashi Nishioka)
The J-45 has become one of the most popular acoustic guitars in the world.
Its starting point was the round-shoulder J model, which was conceived in 1942 as a competitor to the rival MARTIN D model!
More than 70 years have passed since then, and the D Model and the J Model, the two signature guitars of the music world, are still good rivals!
The first president of For Life Records
Komuro etc.
I Will Not Go to the Moon 1971.4
In addition to his own musical activities, Komuro has continued to demonstrate his talent in a variety of band activities, radio personality, drama music, film music, and theater music creation.
His debut album, "I Will Not Go to the Moon," shows his rebelliousness and energy!
Perhaps it was only natural for him to be so powerful, since he was the one who was to price the folk scene into the Japanese music scene.
He is also famous as the first president of For Life Records, which he founded with Yosui Inoue, Takuro Yoshida, and Shigeru Izumiya. The method of selection was by majority vote, and the result was unanimous: Mr. Hitoshi Komuro was elected. That means Mr. Hitoshi Komuro himself also voted for himself.
Mr. Hitoshi Komuro is a soloist, band member, and composer, and the guitars he uses in the course of his work are truly diverse.
I selected these three guitars.
MARTIN D-28S
Slotted head and 12 fret joint!
The sound with more power in the mid-low range was popular in the folk scene in Japan and abroad at that time!
MARTIN D-35
One key point of comparison with the D-28 is the "fret edge binding!
This is one of the reasons why the D-35 is so popular among professionals!
YAMAHA FG-1500
YAMAHA's first fully handmade high-end acoustic guitar, introduced in 1971!
The first fully handmade high-end acoustic guitar in 1971!
Ryo Kagawa
Lessons Learned 1971.6
Known as a shocking incident, its debut, Wataru Takada pulled Ryo Kagawa onto the stage of the 1970 Nakatsugawa Folk Jamboree in an unprecedented turn of events.
While most of the singers on the main stage were calling for him to go home, the anecdote of how he was cheered loudly is a popular story.
The song sung there was "Lesson Learned.
The song is often called an anti-war song, but in fact it is a song about life. It is a song of life, and for this reason, it is universally loved, sung, and listened to.
In Takuro Yoshida's song "Kagawa Ryo's Letter," he sang about himself.
Ryo Kagawa's name is his stage name, a combination of Yuzo Kayama's Ka, Kazuo Hasegawa's Kawa, and Ryo Ikebe's Ryo!
When I think of Mr. Ryo Kagawa, I still think of YAMAHA!
Since some custom models are used, we selected this one from those that have been commercialized!
YAMAHA LL-10
The LL series, which was popular in the 70's as the standard of the era, was renewed for the 10-year anniversary of the LL-10!
Many of you may be impressed by the LL logo design on the head!
YAMAHA S-51
This guitar is an evolution of the YAMAHA L-51, also known as the "Four Heavenly Kings!
The L-51 was an asymmetrical design guitar, but the S-51 was symmetrical to balance volume and sound quality!
The man who pushed folk music into the mainstream.
Takuro Yoshida
What a Human Being 1971.11
I write songs about what comes out of me. I don't care what people think about my songs. I don't really know myself." So said Takuro Yoshida, a hero running toward tomorrow.
Ningen no hatachi" has become a song that truly represents the Japanese folk scene itself.
It was used as the last number of the live performance, and the audience sang along in eternal chorus. Many of you may know such a scene.
Takuro Yoshida was known for his hard-headedness, but there was a tendency in the folk scene to believe that "going the major label route is bad" and "commercialism is nonsense. Takuro Yoshida, a man of the times, had many female fans, and despite his own intentions, he attracted the attention of the mainstream. He was misunderstood by many as a "tengu" and even got into fist fights during in-store campaigns for record releases and at TV photo shoots. This episode is unique to Mr. Takuro Yoshida, who is at the top of the scene.
He says, "Dr. Kazuhiko Kato went out of his way to bring me a GIBSON J-45 made in 1967.
He also uses other instruments such as the J-200, but he selected this lineup for each company!
GIBSON J-45
Takuro Yoshida's 1967 J-45 with the modern logo! The head angle is 14 degrees and the nut width is 39mm!
This model is equipped with a thick large pickguard and an upper belly bridge with string height adjuster!
MARTIN D-35
Mr. Takuro Yoshida owned a MARTIN D-35 made in 1971! The sound is sweeter and softer with age compared to modern products!
The J-45 and the D-35 are the guitars that come to mind when we think of Takuro Yoshida!
YAMAHA L-53
This guitar is one of the four vintage Japanese models that represent YAMAHA, known as the "Four Heavenly Kings" among fans!
All veneer specification, 3-piece Hakaranda back with Ebony center!
The sparkling Avalon scattered on the head, body, fingerboard and bridge is tremendous!
GUILD F-50
This guitar has a maple side and back with an arched back, giving it a sound that is the opposite of the above two guitars!
It is also the flagship model of the GUILD F series!
KING OF LIVE
RC Succession
Early RC Succession 1972.2
RC Succession, which has a strong rock image among the general public, debuted as a folk band.
Although it is indeed folk, the group was greatly supported by its honest expression of self and adolescent opinions, led by the strong and individualistic vocals of Kiyoshiro Imawano.
This is the debut album, "Early RC Succession. The title is interesting, but what is noteworthy is the sequence of the eighth and ninth tracks.
The eighth song is "This World is Money" and the ninth song is "I Wasn't Born to Make Money. It's just great!
The long-awaited restart after an indefinite hiatus in 1991 and the death of Kiyoshiro Imawano in 2009 effectively disbanded the group.
The guitar of Mr. Kiyoshiro Imawano is selected from RC Succession's overwhelming live performances!
GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
GIBSON's first square shoulder guitar! The hummingbird on the pickguard is impressive!
This is a fascinating guitar that many people are attracted to because of its appearance, including its strong stage presence, not to mention its sound!
GIBSON J-200 (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
This guitar dates back to 1937! The model number at that time was SJ-220! The bridge called "moustache" is impressive!
The thick body of this guitar makes a loud sound, and its nickname is "King of Flat Top"!
MARTIN D-41 (Kiyoshiro Imawano)
This guitar is based on the D-28 and decorated!
Instead of using carefully selected woods like the D-45, MARTIN's regular lineup of woods are used.
The D-28 is not made from carefully selected woods like the D-45, but from MARTIN's regular lineup!
Hagai (Imawano Kiyoshiro)
The hog shell has an overwhelming presence on stage! Of course, there will be a solo performance by Hohgai! Ah! Not guitar!
Talented maverick!
Shigeru Izumiya
Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter 1972.4
Shigeru Izumiya is impressive as he strums his guitar and sings as if he were angry.
You guys! Baka yaro!" His ranting MC style has remained unchanged since his debut.
He is also active in charity activities as well as music with a strong message, and has never stopped writing about his heartwarming episodes.
Shigeru Izumiya's second single and biggest hit, "Shunka Akufuyu. Numerous musicians have covered the song. The fact that so many musicians have covered the song shows how much they love it. It's a bit of a goof, but that "Today is the day when everything will be~" thing inspires me no matter how many times I hear it.
He started expressing his music with a single acoustic guitar after his house burned down in his youth and he lost all his electric guitars and amplifiers! His hit album "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter" was produced by Kazuhiko Kato.
Shigeru Izumiya often uses an electric guitar in his live performances, and his selection of MORRIS was an important item that made him say, "I'll stop playing live if I lose this! He selected the MORRIS, which is an important item for him!
MORRIS TC-601
High-texture graphite, which has the same structure as natural wood, is used for the body material!
This guitar fits perfectly with Shigeru Izumiya's intense performances!
GIBSON J-45
Mr. Shigeru Izumiya is using a brand-new J-45 from the modern era.
In fact, he used it at a live concert right after he bought it, and when he hit the body vigorously during the first song, the top of the instrument broke in half!
After that, he repaired it and is still using it with a lot of care and scratches!
GIBSON HUMMINGBIRD
This is one of the most popular guitars in the world, and is characterized by its crisp, clear, and attacked sound!
The secret of this unique and distinctive sound comes from the combination of a short scale and an adjustable bridge!
RAINSONG DR1000
All-graphite guitar! Graphite has a natural sound that overturns the impression of a metallic sound!
The neck is also graphite, of course! The neck is also made of graphite, of course, and does not suffer from warping due to its high strength! As the name suggests, it is resistant to bad weather and works great on outdoor stages!
Leading Folk and New Music of the 70's
Yosui Inoue
Into the Dream 1973.3
It is no exaggeration to say that "Into the Dream" is not only representative of Yosui Inoue, but also one of the most popular Japanese pop songs.
What was that hard-to-find item in his bag that he crawled into and searched for without being allowed to rest?
In the folk scene of the 70's, it was a common practice to enliven the audience by saying something funny during MC, and it was a trend to say that a folk singer had to be able to speak.
Yosui Inoue was famous for rarely MCing on stage. He put down his guitar, took out a new set of strings, and began to change them silently!
This episode is a very typical example of Yosui Inoue's sincerity towards music.
Incidentally, Yosui Inoue is his real name, but his real pronunciation is not "Yosui" but "Akimi.
Yosui Inoue has performed on stage with impressive performances in each era, and this is a selection of the guitars he has used!
GIBSON J-45
In the 1970s, Yosui Inoue used a molded guitar with a thick pickguard and an upper belly bridge on stage.
So far, so normal, but the saddle is fixed, not adjustable! They were probably replaced for sound preference and acoustic characteristics on stage!
GIBSON J-160E
The J-160E guitar is famous for its use by John Lennon and George Harrison.
Yosui Inoue also used one in the 60's, but it has been reattached to a pickguard with GIBSON logo, which is not the original specification!
GIBSON LG-0
Here is the guitar he is holding in the album "Ice World"! He borrowed this guitar from Mr. Kiyoshiro Imawano!
The difference from the original is the tailpiece, which looks like a GIBSON B series 12-string.
YAMAHA FG-150
The FG-150 is the first Japanese-made folk guitar produced by YAMAHA!
This guitar was also the first guitar that Yosui Inoue bought, from which many of the great songs of yesteryear were written!
The shining individuality of Oi-chan.
Minami Kosetsu and Kaguyahime
Kanda River 1973.9
I often hear people say that "Kanda River" reminds them of their student life. I often hear such stories.
As for the "bathhouse on a side street" in the lyrics, there was a public bath called "Yasubei-yu" in Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, behind a bus stop.
It is speculated that this bathhouse may have been the model for the song. It is speculated that this bathhouse was the model for the song, but it is now closed. It is a pity!
By the way, many people may think that both lyrics and music were written by Minami Kosetsu, but the lyrics were written by Kitajo, a lyricist, and the music was composed by Minami Kosetsu.
Kandagawa, which sold a total of 1.6 million copies in 1973, the year of its release, of course received an offer from the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Singing Contest).
However, there was an agony here. The famous phrase "crayon" in the lyrics of the song, "crayon," was claimed to be a registered trademark, and NHK asked the singer to change it to "crayon. However, Minami Kosetsu and Kaguyahime refused. They declined to participate in the Kohaku Uta Gassen that year, which was an unprecedented event.
In 2014, the 65th anniversary of Minami Kosetsu's birth and the 45th anniversary of his debut, Yamaha released his signature model, and we have selected a variety of guitars that he has used in past live performances!
GUILD D-50
GUILD was used by musicians in the folk scene as much as the two giants, GIBSON and MARTIN!
The clear tone with attack is also unique to GUILD!
Here is a model that is popular as the top-of-the-line model! The model used by Minami Kosetsu is one made in 1973!
OVATION SUPER ADAMAS
OVATION SUPER ADAMAS has an eye-catching and unique appearance!
Kaman originally manufactured helicopter wings! The technology to prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the cockpit has evolved into a technology to pick up body vibrations to the maximum extent. Interesting!
Minami Kosetsu used one in 1978!
MARTIN OOO-28
Eric Clapton's use of the OOO-28 is very famous!
The playability and responsive sound of the OOO-28 is not only useful for fingerpickers, but also for the folk scene where lyrical poems exist!
One of the OOO-28s used by Kosetsu Minami in 1949!
MARTIN D-76
This model was released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America!
This model uses the same grade of wood as the D-45 and has a D-35 style 3-piece back!
The eagle head inlay and star-shaped position markings are characteristic of this model, which in a sense is unmistakably MARTIN!
The "red-hot star of the folk song world."
Dolphin
Nagori Yuki 1975.11
A petite woman singing softly with a large MARTIN in her arms has created many followers of female folk singers.
The nickname "dolphin" came about when she was a student at Joshibi University of Art and Design, and a friend saw her carrying a guitar case and said, "You look like a school of dolphins. As the name "Joshibi University of Art and Design" implies, she is also a picture book author and later became a visiting professor at Joshibi University of Art and Design.
As you know, "Nagori Yuki" is the cover of Kaguyahime.
In fact, the men who recorded the single version of Mr. Iruka's take are tremendous!
The acoustic guitarist was Tadahide Yoshikawa, the electric guitarist was Shigeru Suzuki, the bass guitarist was Tsugitoshi Goto, and the drummer was Shuichi Murakami PONTA, all of whom were in agony.
In 1992, they made their first appearance in the Kohaku Uta Gassen. They sang "Nagori Yuki" and their opponent was Minami Kosetsu!
The guitar used by Mr. Iruka is this one! It is his trademark! He owns three guitars!
MARTIN D-35
The first one was made in 1972, and was purchased by her husband, who thought she needed a good guitar to play as a solo musician!
No.2 is a 1967 Hakaranda guitar! This is the one I prepared when I sent No.1 to be repaired!
The third guitar, also known as "No. 3," is a 1967 guitar that was given to us by Mr. Komuro, who had owned one of his guitars!
The Symbol of the Scream
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi
A song of love and romance 1978.10
At the time of his debut, the folk boom had already passed, and the slender, long-haired Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi was considered a "latecomer to the folk scene.
He moved to Tokyo in admiration of Takuro Yoshida, made his debut, and shared the stage with Takuro Yoshida, whom he had admired for many years.
Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi was once a musician who had been marketed as an enka singer with the title song "Ame no Arashiyama" and had a setback as a musician. After that, he released the song "Megurikoi Uta" in an attempt to revive his career.
The original song was performed by a band, but he is famous for his live performances in which he sings solo using only an acoustic guitar and harmonica.
He describes the power of playing the guitar as "strumming," and his theory is that "the acoustic guitar is not something you play, but something you strum. Although his musicality is not often highlighted by the general public, he is in fact an accomplished three-finger guitar player who is just as good as a studio musician!
The shape of the harmonica holder for the blues harp, which has become common today, was invented by him!
Influenced by domestic and international musicians of the 60s and 70s, he uses a large number of guitars, but is probably best known for TAKAMINE, for which he has released a signature model.
TAKAMINE NPT-012
Jumbo sized body Eleaco with NPT preamp, representing TAKAMINE's 90s!
Early models had red LEDs on the preamp! Of course, Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi used it in red!
TAKAMINE DMP-500-6
The simple black coloring and 6-peg design are austere!
An acoustico equipped with a preamp featuring a single vacuum tube! This preamp was very popular for its airy sound!
People wanted to replace their existing TAKAMINE preamps with this one, and after the release, the preamps were sold out first!
GIBSON L-00
The thick triangular neck gives it a unique playing feel! A symbolic American acoustic guitar that spins out a withered bluesy sound!
Used by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi in the late 1930s!
TERRY'S TERRY Custom Model NO.1
TERRY'S TERRY" is a guitar company founded by Terumi Nakamoto aka Terry Nakamoto.
Mr. Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi has been friends with Terry Nakamoto since his debut. One of the guitars used is the surprising serial NO.1!
Over 4,000 live performances.
Masashi Sada
Sekihaku Manifesto 1979.7
Tickets are still at a premium despite the fact that he holds as many as 100 concerts every year!
The musician Masashi Sada attracts many generations of fans with his light-hearted talk, friendly expressions, and that god-like singing voice.
He also works as a novelist and writes songs for TV and commercials. His song "Kita no Kuni Kara" is very famous.
When "Kanpaku Sengen" was first released, there were complaints that it was disrespectful to women. How sad. There is no better message of love for your wife than this song!
Mr. Masashi Sada, who does not wear glasses in his private life, calls wearing glasses "hiragana ni naru.
He says it refers to the transformation from his real name "Masashi Sada" to the musician "Masashi Sada!
He has been using MARTIN since the early days of GRAPE, although he may have a strong image of using YAMAHA's custom model, Terry's Terry, and so on!
MARTIN D-45 TREE OF LIFE
Only 50 of these custom guitars were made in 1993!
The use of Bearclaw Sitka spruce and Hakaranda, two very high quality woods, and the "TREE OF LIFE" Avalon decoration on the head, fingerboard, pickguard, and bridge are all shining brightly! The engraving on the pegs is also amazing!
MARTIN OOO-21
More than 110 years have passed since the world's first auditorium appeared in 1902. The world's top players still love this guitar!
Mr. Masashi Sada uses this guitar mainly for recording!
YAMAHA L-55 CUSTOM
The L series guitars were established as YAMAHA's high-end guitars worldwide in the late 1970s!
This L-55 CUSTOM was released in 1980, and it can be said to be the perfection of the L-series guitars!
YAMAHA LL-120MS CUSTOM Sada Masashi Model
This guitar was released in 2002 and bears the name of the LL series, which evolved from the L series, the top model of the FG series!
This is YAMAHA's first artist model!
A big typhoon landed from Kyushu! Hot throats are screaming!
Chage & Asuka
The River of Ten Thousand Rivers 1980.9
Chage & Asuka's third single and first to reach the Top 10, the hit "Banri no Kawa".
Although it is a fleeting love song, the unique worldview and impact of the chorus, which is also a result of the strange arrangement, captured the hearts of the listeners.
The album "Hot Wind," which included the song, reached No. 1 on the Oricon charts for the first time, and in 1981, the band embarked on a "Hot Wind Tour," a 60-song tour of Japan.
Chage & Asuka were truly at the top of the pop song world with their two big hits of the 1990s, "SAY YES" and "YAH YAH YAH.
His debut came when he formed an acoustic duo in a popular song contest sponsored by Yamaha.
The lyrical melodies and singing ability spun by Asuka were called folk enka at the time.
Incidentally, the name was changed from "Chage & Asuka" to "CHAGE & ASKA" in 1990. This was because the alphabetical spelling of "Asuka" was pronounced as "ASUKA" when they were active overseas at the time, so the name was changed to be pronounced correctly. This was a rare occurrence because of her worldwide activities!
Since the 90's, there have been various changes on stage, from holding an electric guitar to performing only with a microphone.
The most impressive guitars from the early days are probably the YAMAHA L-series guitars of each.
YAMAHA L-52 CUSTOM (Asuka)
Maple was used for the sides and back, and the size was an extra large 17 inches!
This is the prototype of the guitar that would later give birth to a new series of guitars called the Country Jumbo!
MARTIN D-35 (Asuka)
Like many musicians, Asuka owns a D-35, a famous instrument in the folk scene!
This is the one he used in the live performance at MTV Unplugged!
YAMAHA L-53 CUSTOM (Chage)
L-53 CUSTOM was produced from 1975 to 1980!
Hakaranda is used for the body side and back to obtain a clear and crisp sound!
The oversized Avalon inlay on the head is impressive!
GIBSON J-50 (Chage)
J-50 appeared as a natural color of GIBSON J-45!
Mr. Chage used a round-shoulder one in 1960s!
Folk songs are popular music in the style of folk songs born in the United States.
Folk songs have developed uniquely in Japan, and are not only played and sung solo on the guitar, but are also sometimes performed in a band format.
In addition to message songs with a strong anti-society flavor, there are also many famous songs in Japan that tell stories of tender love and rich expression.
Perhaps the students were aiming for college folk, in the style of Joan Baez, and the hippies were aiming for minstrelsy, in the style of Bob Dylan.
Regardless of the form, folk songs are now considered the original landscape of Japanese music.
What kind of guitars, what kind of musicians, and what kind of feelings were they singing with?
Why don't you listen to the famous songs once again with the guitar in your hand, which you longed for in those days?
You will surely discover something new!